Gay, Brook put England in control after Pakistan bowled out for 133 on opening day of third Test

England ended the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan in control after bowling out the visitors for 133 and reaching 156-4 at stumps, a lead of 23 runs.

Emilio Gay and Harry Brook led England’s response, scoring 60 and 52 respectively to put the hosts in a strong position.

England won the toss and elected to field, looking to maintain the momentum they had built during the three-match series. The hosts lead the series 2-0.

Pakistan struggled against England’s bowling attack, with Saud Shakeel offering the only significant resistance as he top-scored with 43.

Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck with just eight runs on the board. Azan Owais followed soon after, scoring nine off 10 balls as Jofra Archer struck to reduce Pakistan to 14-2.

Abdullah Shafique added only three runs before departing, leaving Pakistan at 24-3.

The visitors continued to lose wickets as England’s bowlers maintained pressure. Shan Masood scored five, while captain Babar Azam managed just seven before being dismissed, leaving Pakistan struggling at 48-5.

Saud then provided much-needed resistance, scoring 43 runs with seven boundaries as he attempted to rebuild the innings.

However, Saud found little support from the other batters. Mohammad Imran and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori scored five and four runs respectively, while Razaullah contributed 11.

Mohammad Abbas offered some late resistance with a valuable 21, including four boundaries, but Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs.

Josh Tongue was the standout bowler for England, finishing with four wickets for 42 runs. Robinson claimed three for 15, while Archer took three for 25.

England resumed their first innings at 24-2 after the tea break, with Gay and captain Joe Root at the crease.

Their third-wicket partnership lasted only 15 runs, however, as Test debutant Razaullah trapped Root lbw in the second over of the final session.

Brook then joined Gay at the crease, and the pair took control against Pakistan’s spirited bowling attack, adding 104 runs for the fourth wicket.

Razaullah eventually broke the century-plus stand in the closing minutes of the day by dismissing Gay, who finished as England’s top-scorer with 60 off 114 balls, including nine fours.

At stumps, England were 156-4, with Brook unbeaten on 52 and Dan Lawrence on five.

England will resume their innings on the second day with a 23-run lead over Pakistan.

Pakistan Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali.

England Playing XI

Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue